Well in Bambi the king and prince of the forest knew the hunters were in the forest because they could see their smoke from their camp so it must be true. Anyways some of the best hunters I know don't have fires at their camps, I think mostly because of making their clothes all smokey and tipping off a deer or elk.

It doesn't attract them that's for sure but I like a nice fire before and after the hunt anyhow it makes for better stories.

The only experience I have with a camp fire in hunting camp was in Utah in 1999. Between the 12 of us I was the only one to stay away from the smoke. The others believed the smoke made a good cover scent and willingly wore their hunting clothes next to the fire. I was the only one to harvest an elk that year. Take it for what it's worth.

I agree with mihunter, I learned a lot of hunting tricks from an old timer from my church, named Ivan. He always used to hunt in a blind with a woodstove burning right in it, and he never had a problem dropping at least a couple bucks every year. I don't think deer are bothered by smoke.

Woodsmoke is not an alien smell to deer. Most deer in PA live around farms and suburban developments where practical and recreational fireplaces are common. Also, the Nov issue suggests some chemicals released in woodsmoke absorb or at least mask human odors.
It makes me think of the various cultures around the world where one prepares for hunting (or other spriritually important task) by purifying the head, hair, skin with smoke.